Introducing the book, Padamsee, a member of institiue’s advisory board, rambled on about the ‘brand’ that is IIT and waxed eloquent about the greatness of the institution. Manchanda on the other hand confessed that he had been oblivious to the growth of the IIT brand in the years that he had spent among its protective walls, researching on Biosciences. One of Manchanda’s intentions through the book was to throw light on the post-graduate and PhD programmes that are shadowed by the celebrated graduate programme.

And though the book speaks romantically about the hills, forest and lake at the scenic campus, the author clarifies that Monastery, Sanctuary, Laboratory is not just a celebratory work. It draws the reader’s attention to some of the flaws in the functioning of the IITs over the years. He criticises the attempts made by successive governments to try and control its functioning and suggests “intervention by a mature industry to fund research and development initiatives at the IITs. That is the only way we can bring about some kind of autonomy in the institution’s functioning,” says Manchanda. Professor Isaac, a legend at IIT-Bombay, and oft-mentioned in the book mourned the changing attitude of students over the years towards the institution.

“The title of the book is telling in the change in perception — from monastery to laboratory,” he said.